Editors: A complete list of activities follows this release

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum visitors will have the opportunity to uncover Earth’s geological wonders by observing simulated volcanic eruptions, sifting for minerals and gems and other activities during the ninth annual “Can You Dig It?” event March 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free, family-friendly event provides visitors an understanding of Earth’s materials and processes through hands-on activities and educational demonstrations.

“It’s not just a walk-by-and-look-see kind of event,” said program organizer Matt Smith, a senior lecturer and undergraduate advisor in the University of Florida department of geological sciences. “People who come tend to spend some time and really engage.”

The latest additions to this year’s list of activities include learning how to identify real meteorites from impostors and exploring ways researchers study ocean currents.

Other activities include investigating how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can threaten the ocean’s coral reefs and how water shapes the state of Florida. Participants may also create landforms in an augmented-reality sandbox and observe a real-time 3-D color topographic map showing how rainwater will flow on the surface. Visitors who collect stamps on their event “passport” while exploring activity stations may redeem it for a mineral or fossil prize.

Smith said he looks forward to the opportunity to interact with community members, share the love of Earth science and help visitors understand the related issues that affect Floridians.

Florida Museum public programs coordinator Catherine Carey said anything messy like volcanic eruptions and water activities are always crowd pleasers.

“It is a great way to learn about everything from groundwater to volcanoes while having a blast,” Carey said.

“Can You Dig It?” is sponsored by the UF department of geological sciences and Florida Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Gainesville Gem and Mineral Society and other community groups.

The Gainesville Gem and Mineral Society will have demonstrations of stone cabbing, jewelry making and more.

Food from High Springs Orchard and Bakery will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/calendar/grid/can-you-dig-it/ or call 352-273-2064.

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Writer: Maria Espinoza, emari@ufl.edu
Source: Catherine Carey, ccarey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media Contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

Can You Dig It? Activities List

10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 14
Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull Road, Powell Hall on the UF campus

Activities occur throughout the day unless noted as scheduled

Volcanoes (Periodic eruptions scheduled on the hour and half-hour starting at 10:30 a.m.)
Participate in ongoing interactive demos and investigate why some volcanoes erupt explosively while others often do not, but watch out – ours is ready to blow!

The Ocean’s Conveyor Belt (Demonstrations scheduled at 11:15 a.m. and 12:15, 1:15 and 2:15 p.m.)
Explore how and why water moves in the ocean and some of the interesting ways we study it!

Gem and Fossil Mine
Sift for gems, minerals and other treasures.

UF Department of Geological Sciences
Learn about the UF geological sciences department, how to become a geologist and why geoscience is an excellent career choice.

Passport Prizes
Grab a passport and collect stamps as you explore–then receive a prize for your completed passport.

Make Your Own Earthquake!
Learn about how, why and where earthquakes happen then make your own earthquake and find out how you measure on the Richter scale.

Deep Ocean Drilling
Discover how scientists study the bottom of the ocean and sample your own “drill core” from our tasty ocean floor model.

Oreo Plate Tectonics
Use these tasty treats to explore the process behind mountain formation and how the world changes over time.

Investigating Ocean Acidification
The Earth is a big interconnected system. Discover how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can threaten the ocean’s coral reefs!

Augmented Reality Sandbox‑Understanding topographic maps
This sandbox combines real sand with virtual reality to show how 2-D topographic maps show the 3-D shape of the land. Make your own surface in the sandbox and watch as the virtual reality projection mirrors your model. Then, make it rain in the sandbox and see how virtual water flows in your model.

Minerals, Minerals Everywhere
There are thousands of different kinds of minerals. Examine beautiful specimens of “nature’s art” and discover the many uses for minerals in your home and everyday life.

Tools of a Geologist
Learn why geologists are the real “Inspector Gadgets” and bring your minerals and rocks to be identified.

The Rock Cycle
Learn how rocks are continuously recycled on Earth into new rocks.

Gainesville Gem and Mineral Society
Meet local “rock hounds” and explore the transformation from rough stone to finished jewelry with members of the society. Get information about the club, events and how to join! See beautiful collections of club members and learn what Florida has to offer for collecting.

Secrets of Sand
Take an up-close look under microscope to see the secrets of sand revealed.

Meteorites
Meteorites can and do strike the Earth. Check out these space rocks and see how they differ from other rocks found on Earth.

Geologic Time Tunnel
Explore the “Tunnel of Time.” Take a journey back through time and explore our planet’s geologic history.

Paleomagnetism
Rocks contain their own compasses, and they don’t always point north! See how scientists use Earth magnetism to reconstruct how the continents have moved through time.

Paleobiology and Fossils
See fossils of amazing prehistoric life forms and explore Florida’s fossil heritage.

Paleolimnology: Learning History from Lake Sediment
You may be surprised to learn what mud can tell us about climate and environmental change.

Groundwater‑Florida’s Precious Natural Resource
Investigate how groundwater flows through and shapes the subsurface while discovering Florida’s underground rivers. Then explore what you can do to protect our drinking water supply.

The Power of Water: How the Land Gets its Shape
Use wave tanks and other interactive models to explore water’s power in shaping our ever-changing environment.

Fossil Discovery Cart
The Museum’s own Discovery Cart.

Meteorites or Meteor-wrongs
Learn how to identify and distinguish real meteorites from look-a-likes.

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